Sunday, April 19, 2026

European Super League Plans 80-Club Tournament

  • The competition would feature no permanent members and would have open qualification
  • A22 Sports Management reportedly spoke with nearly 50 European clubs in establishing its new guidelines.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The proposed European Super League has presented a completely new vision in its latest attempt at a comeback.

A22 Sports Management — the company leading the charge to revive the offshoot soccer league, which was announced and then quickly abandoned in April 2021 — has released its plans to rival the UEFA Champions League.

  • The competition would feature no permanent members and would have open qualification based on domestic performance.
  • “Feedback suggests a European football league that is open, based solely on sporting merit, multidivisional with 60-80 clubs and a minimum of 14 guaranteed European matches per club,” A22 said in a statement.
  • A22 reportedly spoke with nearly 50 European clubs in establishing its new guidelines.

“The vast majority of them share the assessment that the very foundation of European football is under threat,” A22 CEO Bernd Reichart said in a video on Twitter. “It is time for change.”

Juventus defender Gleison Bremer defends ball against FC Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski

Top European Court Opinion Rules Against Super League

CJEU is rejecting ESL’s claim of anticompetitive behavior by FIFA and UEFA.
December 15, 2022

Stern Opposition

Reichart’s video alludes to an upcoming decision from the European Court of Justice regarding FIFA and UEFA’s alleged monopoly on European soccer.

However, in December, a CJEU advocate general published an opinion siding with FIFA and UEFA — indicating the rest of the court may follow suit when the decision comes down sometime this year.

Many European soccer entities still heavily oppose the ESL in any form — including La Liga president Javier Tebas, who posted a scathing rebuke on Twitter.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mike Sherrill

New Jersey World Cup Games Will Have a $150 Train and $80 Bus

New Jersey officials have been adamant about not bearing transit costs.

Saudi PIF Drops Al-Hilal Soccer Team Amid Sports Pivot

The PIF is reportedly considering an exit from LIV Golf. 

New Jersey Gov. Blames FIFA For Possible $100 World Cup Train

FIFA said it’s “quite surprised” by New Jersey’s attack.

Featured Today

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
blake griffin
April 14, 2026

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
April 10, 2026

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
April 9, 2026

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) heads for the locker room after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 14 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. The Bills overcame a halftime deficit to win 39-34.

Joe Flacco Sounds Alarm on 18-Game Schedule

The veteran QB warns such expansion could hurt the playoffs.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 4, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Byeong Hun An in action during the first round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club.
April 17, 2026

LIV Golf CEO: League Looking for New Investors

Scott O’Neil admitted LIV will need to raise money moving forward.
Apr 15, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) clears the puck from the goal with Dallas Stars left wing Adam Erne (73) in pursuit in the third period at KeyBank Center.
April 17, 2026

New-Look NHL Playoffs Set As League Rides Attendance Wave

This year’s playoff field includes several upstarts and fresh storylines.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
April 16, 2026

Grand Slam Track’s Contentious Bankruptcy Is Over. Now What?

With bankruptcy over, Grand Slam is cleared to try a comeback.
Dec 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
April 16, 2026

NBA Bends 65-Game Awards Rule for Dončić, Cunningham

Anthony Edwards, meanwhile, lost his appeal.
April 16, 2026

LIV Golf’s Future: Three Big Questions If Saudi Funding Dries Up

LIV players could be seeking a return to the PGA Tour.
Apr 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) and guard Darius Garland (10) in the second half during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome.
exclusive
April 16, 2026

NBA Is in Talks With Kalshi and Polymarket

Discussions ramped up after the CFTC began engaging with leagues, sources say.